The EU reduced imports of flat steel products by 4% y/y in January-August – EUROFER

The EU showed mixed dynamics in steel imports in January-August 2025 amid high economic uncertainty. According to the latest EUROFER Economic and Steel Market Outlook 2025-2026, IV quarter report, total steel deliveries, including semi-finished products, increased by 0.3% y/y, while imports of finished metal products remained at last year’s level.

Flat steel supplies fell by 4% y/y over eight months, with the largest decline recorded in the hot-rolled coil (HRC) segment, down 9% y/y. There was also a decline in supplies of cold-rolled coil (-5% y-o-y) and thick-gauge rolled products (-6% y/y). At the same time, imports of long products increased by 14% y/y, with even higher growth rates in certain categories. In particular, in the rebar segment by 50% y/y, large profiles by 34% y/y, wire rod by 3% y/y, and reinforcement bars by 4% y/y.

The structure of imports indicates that the EU remains highly dependent on external supplies. In Q2 2025, they accounted for 27% of apparent consumption, which maintains historically high import pressure and contributes to a further deterioration in the trade balance with third countries.

The main supplier countries remain Turkey, South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Indonesia. Imports from these destinations show significant differences in dynamics: strong growth from Indonesia (+206% y/y), China (+19% y/y), Turkey (+23% y/y), and Ukraine (+16% y/y) contrasts with a sharp drop in supplies from India (-45% y/y) and Taiwan (-16% y/y).

EUROFER emphasizes that the instability of import flows and their excessive share in domestic demand threaten the recovery of the EU steel industry. The industry insists on the importance of effective trade instruments and predictable regulatory conditions to ensure fair competition in the market.

According to EUROFER forecasts, apparent steel consumption in the EU will begin to recover in 2026, increasing by 3%. This will happen provided that industrial conditions improve and global tensions ease, but these factors remain difficult to predict at this stage. At the same time, in 2025, the indicator will decline for the fourth consecutive year.